But that’s exactly how the ElCamino Real of Woodland Hills boys’ soccer coach has been perceived this week by his City Section counterparts.

For the second year in a row, Hussey came under scrutiny by other City soccer coaches for allowing Orr Barouch to play in the Conquistadores’ second-round playoff match Monday against Bell, the first contest the senior had played this season for ECR.

Barouch wasn’t injured or ill during the regular season, nor was he declared academically eligible just in time for the postseason. Much like several of the City’s top Division I college prospects, Barouch spent the past few months competing for a Chivas USA-sponsored club team in the U.S.Soccer Development Academy league.

Since City rules state that players aren’t allowed to compete simultaneously for their high school and club teams, Barouch didn’t play for ECR prior to Monday. By allowing Barouch to compete, Hussey didn’t break any rules, making sure that all the proper paperwork was filled out by Barouch and school administrators in order to submit the forms to the City office.

But after allowing Barouch, Edgar Ramirez and Mario Ledezma to return from competing in the academy league to play for the Conquistadores during last year’s run to the City final, Hussey’s ethics were again called into question with the decision to let Barouch play Monday – when he scored the winning goal – and again Thursday in ECR’s 3-2 victory over San Fernando.

One significant difference from last year’s scenario was that Barouch received a red card in an academy league match Feb. 22 – forcing him to sit out the team’s next contest – then suited up for ECR the following day.

When Hussey’s peers learned of the decision, the responses ranged from “arrogant” to “irresponsible” to “reprehensible.” One coach accused ECR, which already had to forfeit five matches because a player competed in a recreational indoor league, of wanting to “win at all costs.”

“To me, winning at all costs is practicing when you’re not supposed to or intentionally cheating or breaking the rules,” Hussey said. “No one even knew last year that our starting goalkeeper and starting center midfielder went to Spain and didn’t play in the semifinals and final. If I wanted to win at all costs, I could’ve forced them to stay, but I didn’t.”

Hussey, an assistant principal at ECR, allowed his players to weigh in on the possibility of Barouch’s participation in order to not compromise team chemistry during the postseason. He also acknowledged that other area boys’ soccer coaches have been presented with the same dilemma and not allowed players to return to the team. But he insists his decision is in the best interest of Barouch.

“You have to know your kids and it comes down to the kids and their relationships with me. If they choose to play in the academy, that’s their decision, but I tell them the door is always open to come back,” Hussey said. “Everybody forgets this is about high school kids who love playing soccer. I have kids who would play soccer 24-7 if they could.”

Hussey’s loyalty to his players isn’t being debated. It’s the perception that a player who was punished for a red card in one league can seek haven the next day in another. Or the idea that a student-athlete doesn’t have to compete in the regular season in order to merit him playing in the playoffs.

The decision has caused some coaches to question the value of the City promoting ideals such as “Character Counts” and “Pursuing Victory with Honor.”

“There’s no teeth to it,” Birmingham coach EB Madha said. “What’s the purpose of all this if it’s not being enforced. If there’s no weight given to it, then scrap the program and use the money for something else.”

The matter could reach a climax Monday when ECR plays host to Taft of Woodland Hills in the City semifinals. Taft coach Matt Kodama is an opponent of Hussey’s decision, which means there likely won’t be much positive interaction between the two sides.

“I can understand if they don’t agree with what I did. If that’s the way they want to run their program, then that’s their decision,” Hussey said. “But if they don’t like the rules, then that’s not my fault. It’s their responsibility to try and change them.”

No more City title drought for Valley

When the Taft girls’ basketball team won the City Section title in 2007, it ended a 20-year drought since Kennedy of Granada Hills captured the championship.

Although Chatsworth missed out on giving the San Fernando Valley back-to-back titles last year when the Chancellors lost in the final to Narbonne of Harbor City, there won’t another lengthy gap between City champions.

That’s because Chatsworth and Taft will square off at 6 p.m. Friday at USC’s Galen Center in the first battle of local girls’ programs in the section title game.

“Who would’ve thought?” said Taft senior forward Joy Hubbard, a member of the 2007 championship team. “The City would’ve never expected two valley teams in the final, but it happened. I can’t wait.”

Michelle Chevalier, who coached Sylmar in the 2003 City final and guided Chatsworth to the title game last year – losing to Narbonne both times – is looking for her first crown.

Regardless of the outcome, both teams are guaranteed to play in the Div. I state playoffs, beginning March 9.

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